The lower Columbia River and estuary, as part of the entire Columbia River Basin, moved one step closer to receiving resources to reduce toxic contaminants and improve ecosystem conditions when the Columbia River Basin Restoration Act of 2010 was passed by the Environment and Public Works Committee of the U.S. Senate on June 30th. The bill (S.3550) which authorizes federal funding is now headed to the floor of the Senate for a vote.

“We are thrilled with this positive step forward to protect the Columbia River Basin. Restoring and protecting the lower Columbia River and estuary is our mission and this bill will help us get the recognition and resources we need to address toxics in the river and restore habitat. We are poised with our partners to implement projects now that will begin to improve the ecological conditions of the Columbia River,” says Debrah Marriott, Executive Director of the Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership.

The estuary is used twice in the lifecycles of 13 endangered salmonid species for migration, juvenile rearing, refuge and feeding. The toxics found in the Columbia River affect the hormone balance in fish and contaminate sediments; these contaminants also move up the food chain. This bill provides funds to implement projects to reduce contamination. Addressing habitat loss and toxic contamination will bolster the local economy by immediately supporting jobs for contractors, haulers, large equipment operators, road, bridge and culvert construction crews, hydrologists, and biologists along with providing a market for nurseries and other building construction materials. Future economic benefit is achieved by protecting navigational jetties, fishery habitats and beaches from ongoing erosion. Keeping contaminants such as pharmaceuticals and pesticides out of the system is more economical than costly clean up.

“The Columbia River has been a lifeline for Oregon’s fishing industry and powers much of the Northwest,” said Senator Merkley (OR) the author of the bill. “Unfortunately, the Columbia River Basin has long been contaminated with harmful toxic chemicals that pose a serious threat to human health, to fish and wildlife populations, and to the livelihoods of many Oregonians. This bill will finally give local organizations and tribes the resources they need to put people to work cleaning up the river so it can continue to be the backbone of our economy in the Pacific Northwest.”

The Columbia River Basin Restoration Act of 2010 was introduced by Senator Merkley (D-OR) with co-sponsorship from Senators Wyden (D-OR), Sen. Crapo (R-ID), Sen. Baucus and Tester (D-MT). A similar bill was introduced in the House in February by Representative Blumenauer (D-OR). A hearing in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee was held on April 28. “Unfortunately and for too long, we have treated this great river like a machine. As a result, much of the Columbia River is degraded,” says Rep. Blumenauer (D-OR). Blumenauer said, “this is not just about conserving the environment: this a public health issue, an economic issue, and an environmental justice issue. I hope to move this legislation through the process quickly, so that we can get resources on the ground in the Northwest and begin this important work a soon as possible.”

The Estuary Partnership was established in 1995 by the governors of Washington and Oregon and the US EPA to provide a coordinated, regional voice to improve ecological conditions of the lower river. The lower Columbia River is an “Estuary of National Significance,” one of only 28 in the nation. Using a watershed ecosystem based approach, the Estuary Partnership works across political boundaries with 28 cities, nine counties, 38 school districts and the states of Oregon and Washington over an area that stretches 146 miles from Bonneville Dam to the Pacific Ocean. It is the lead two-state entity working in partnership with the private sector and government agencies focused on the ecosystem. The Estuary Partnership is a public 501(C) (3) non-profit corporation with a Board of Directors representing the diverse public and private interests and geography of the lower river.